Ex-employee accused of stealing $15K from Ollie's store

MUNCIE, Ind. – City police say a former employee stole more than $15,000 from Ollie’s Bargain Outlet over a 16-day period in December.

Ethan Randall Morton-McConnell, 20, of the 1100 block of West Rex Street, was arrested Wednesday on a preliminary count of theft.

According to police documents, Morton-McConnell on 42 occasions between Dec. 7 and Dec. 16 reported, in a store computer system, that an item had been returned, “with no customer or legitimate transaction.”

On Wednesday, he reportedly Muncie police investigators he had spent all of the stolen money on items including a television, television stand, mini-fridge, watch, necklace, radio and groceries.

Morton-McConnell – who was released from the Delaware County jail after posting bond – apparently has no prior criminal record.

The Ollie’s store, at 4301 Clara Lane, opened in August.

In other police news:

Misconduct: Another young Muncie man has been arrested on allegations he entered a Yorktown home through a basement window and had sex with an underage girl.

Matthew C. Grimes, 18, was arrested Wednesday on preliminary counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and residential entry.

Matthew Grimes(Photo: Photo provided)

His accuser – who was 14 at the time – said she let Grimes into her family’s home, where they had sex, several times last year. In Indiana, the age of consent for sexual activity in most instances is 16.

Grimes denied the girl's allegations.

Last week, another Muncie man, 19-year-old Jeidrien Marquise Waters, was arrested on nearly identical allegations, involving the same girl and location.